Spanish coach André Penalva has recalled working with Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in France.

Penalva was Tchouameni's academy coach at Bordeaux.

He recalled to AS: "Honestly, if I'm frank with you, Aurélien was not considered a featured player at the time, but he had great potential.

"He was a very complete footballer who made me think that he could become a professional player at some point, over time.

"Of course, I never imagined that Aurélien would go that far and that he would play for Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world of football.

"His greatest qualities I would tell you that they were, first of all, his tactical sense, very marked. Secondly, I have to highlight his athletic potential. And I think what improved the most was the technical aspect. He has done it with a lot of work."